TAMPA, Fla. — Red Lobster shocked patrons across the country in May when it abruptly closed dozens of locations. And it appears the Florida-based seafood chain isn't done closing doors just yet.
As it prepares to be acquired by new owners, Red Lobster is set to close 23 more locations by the end of the month, according to recent court filings. That means more than 100 Red Lobster locations will have closed nationwide come September.
But according to the company, endless shrimp lovers have no reason to panic.
In May, Red Lobster assured customers it has no plans to go out of business.
"For more than five decades Red Lobster has been a part of your family's life. We've been there for your celebrations, big and small," the company said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "And Red Lobster is determined to be there for these moments for generations to come. And that's why we filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection."
Red Lobster store closings in Florida
Is Red Lobster going out of business?
This new chapter for Red Lobster comes after a number of challenges in recent years. In 2021 and 2022, the company hired a new CEO, chief marketing officer, chief financial officer and chief information officer. They all left within two years, CNN reported.
Last summer, the company revived its endless shrimp menu deal, which led to a $11 million loss for the seafood chain, the news outlet added.
Red Lobster is set to be sold to Fortress Investment Group, which also runs Krystal, Logan's Roadhouse and J. Alexander's, according to CBS News. The company recently appointed the former CEO of P.F. Chang's to take over Red Lobster.
The first-ever Red Lobster location opened in 1968 in Lakeland. The company moved its headquarters to Orlando in 2015.